IHE 2024 Concludes Successfully, Setting Ambitious Goals for 2025

IHE 2024 Concludes Successfully, Setting Ambitious Goals for 2025

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on August 8, 2024

The 7th edition of the India International Hospitality Expo (IHE 2024) wrapped up successfully, with 942 exhibitors showcasing their expertise in the hospitality sector. Held at the India Expo Centre & Mart, the event also featured four co-located shows that collectively drew an impressive 90,000 B2B visitors over four dynamic days. The expo served as a hub for innovation, collaboration, and business, generating an estimated Rs 12,000 crore in serious business inquiries.

IHE 2024 offered a comprehensive display of the latest in luxury hotels, resorts, homestays, restaurants, catering, decoration, and the F&B sector. Visitors were treated to a wide range of products and services, from cutting-edge technology to sustainable practices and culinary innovations. The final day cemented IHE’s status as India’s premier B2B hospitality event.

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The expo was inaugurated by Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, with a ceremony attended by prominent figures such as Myanmar’s Ambassador H.E. Moe Kyaw Aung, the Chief Trade Counsellor of the Vietnamese Embassy Mr. Bui Trung Thuong, and Aakar Exhibition’s Director, Shri Premal Mehta. In his keynote address, Minister Shekhawat highlighted IHE’s vital role in promoting India’s hospitality sector on a global scale.

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Dr. Rakesh Kumar, Chairman of India Expo Centre & Mart, expressed pride in the successful event and highlighted the collaboration with Vietnam as the Partner Country and Himachal Pradesh as the Focus State. This partnership brought unique cultural and culinary experiences to the expo, enhancing its vibrant and diverse atmosphere.

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The event’s lineup featured exciting culinary competitions like the Master Bakers Challenge India 2024, Pastry Queen India, and the India Pizza League Championship, which attracted participants nationwide. The Vietnam Food Festival, led by Chef Thong Nguyen Van, delighted attendees with authentic Vietnamese cuisine.

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IHE 2024 set new standards of excellence in the hospitality industry, and the organizers are already planning for IHE 2025 with even higher goals. The commitment to fostering growth, innovation, and collaboration remains strong as they aim to expand the expo’s reach and impact globally.

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About IHE:

The India International Hospitality Expo (IHE) is the largest hospitality expo in India, dedicated to showcasing the latest innovations, products, and services in the hospitality industry. Since its inception, IHE has been a key platform for growth and development in the sector, bringing together industry leaders and professionals from around the world.


Maldives Partners with Mumbai Indians as Official Tourist Destination

Maldives Partners with Mumbai Indians as Official Tourist Destination

By Nishang Narayan

Published on March 22, 2025

The Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Mumbai Indians, making the Maldives the Official Tourist Destination Partner for the 2025 cricket season. This marks Visit Maldives’ first collaboration of this kind in India, emphasizing the country’s commitment to strengthening its position as a top travel destination for Indian tourists.

Cricket & Tourism: A Winning Partnership

With Mumbai Indians being one of the most successful and widely followed cricket teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL), this partnership presents a unique opportunity to engage millions of Indian cricket fans. Given that India remains one of the top source markets for Maldivian tourism, the collaboration is expected to drive substantial growth in Indian tourist arrivals, with a target of 200,000 visitors in 2025.

"Cricket has a special place in the hearts of millions, and we believe this collaboration will inspire Indian travellers to choose the Maldives as their ideal getaway," said Mr. Ibrahim Shiuree, CEO & Managing Director of Visit Maldives.

A Mumbai Indians spokesperson echoed the sentiment, stating, "Cricket and holidays are all about creating lasting memories. We are excited to showcase the Maldives to our global fanbase and create new travel experiences for them."

Positioning Maldives as the Ultimate Getaway

Through a mix of digital activations, exclusive experiences, and on-ground events, the Maldives will be promoted as the go-to luxury travel destination for Indian travellers. The country’s pristine beaches, high-end resorts, and seamless connectivity to India make it a top choice for holidaymakers, honeymooners, and adventure seekers alike.

This strategic alliance between Maldives tourism and Mumbai Indians is set to redefine sports-driven travel promotions, further cementing the Maldives’ global appeal as a luxury escape.


Swim with Giants: Four Seasons Maldives Unveils 2025 Manta Hot Dates

Swim with Giants: Four Seasons Maldives Unveils 2025 Manta Hot Dates

By Nishang Narayan

Published on March 18, 2025

What do the moon and manta rays have in common? They both play a crucial role in one of the ocean’s most breathtaking natural spectacles—the mass gathering of manta rays in Baa Atoll’s UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Thanks to the groundbreaking research of the Maldives Manta Conservation Programme, based at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru, travelers now have a scientifically backed chance to witness these gentle giants in action. The team has combined two decades of manta tracking, moon phase analysis, and tidal movements to predict the Manta Hot Dates for 2025—the optimal times when these marine marvels are expected to congregate in vast numbers.

2025 Manta Hot Dates

  • May 10 – 14 | May 25 – 29
  • June 9 – 13 | June 23 – 27
  • July 8 – 12 | July 22 – 26
  • August 7 – 11 | August 21 – 25
  • September 5 – 9 | September 19 – 23
  • October 5 – 9 | October 19 – 23
  • November 3 – 7 | November 18

A Front-Row Seat to the Ocean’s Grand Performance

With over 4,477 manta sightings recorded in 2024—alongside 26 whale sharks and nine devil rays—the waters around Landaa Giraavaru offer an unparalleled marine adventure. Guests visiting during the Manta Hot Dates can join the exclusive Manta Watch experience, which includes:

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Manta-on-Call speedboat safari – Get alerted via a personal phone the moment mantas are sighted nearby.
Dolphin cruise – Witness playful dolphins leaping across the Indian Ocean.
Coral frame propagation – Contribute to marine conservation by helping restore coral reefs.
Round-trip shared seaplane transfers from Velana International Airport.
Daily breakfast at Café Landaa or Blu Restaurant.

For those who prefer spontaneity, the resort’s Manta-on-Call program offers a real-time adventure—guests receive a direct call the moment manta rays are spotted, allowing them to rush to a speedboat and snorkel with these oceanic giants on their terms.

More Than a Spectacle—A Conservation Mission

Since its inception in 2005, the Maldives Manta Conservation Programme has played a vital role in protecting manta rays worldwide. Project Manager Elspeth Strike explains,

“Seeing a guest’s face light up as they spot a manta for the first time is unforgettable. At Landaa Giraavaru, we combine conservation with education—offering managed experiences that allow people to connect with these incredible creatures while helping ensure their future.”

Manta sightings are seasonal and subject to weather conditions and the moods of these gentle giants.

To book your Manta Watch adventure at Four Seasons Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru, click here, email reservations.mal@fourseasons.com, or call +960 66 00 888.


Business Travel Show Asia Pacific to Launch in Singapore This April

Business Travel Show Asia Pacific to Launch in Singapore This April

By Nishang Narayan

Published on March 16, 2025

The Business Travel Show Asia Pacific is set to make its debut in Singapore on April 16-17, 2025, at Marina Bay Sands, uniting over 200 corporate travel buyers from across Asia Pacific, the US, the UK, and Europe with 50+ top-tier exhibitors from the global travel industry. Backed by BTN Group’s 30 years of expertise in corporate travel events, this launch marks a significant milestone for the region’s booming business travel sector.

A World-Class Corporate Travel Event

The Asia Pacific region is the world’s fastest-growing corporate travel market, with spending projected to hit $900 billion this year. Business Travel Show APAC is more than just a trade show—it’s a critical platform for industry professionals to connect, collaborate, and stay ahead in an evolving landscape.

Exhibitors include some of the most influential names in the travel industry, such as Oneworld, Wings, Wego, Amex GBT, BCD, Amex Card, Emburse, and more. The event promises meaningful business meetings, knowledge-sharing sessions, and exclusive networking opportunities for buyers and suppliers alike.

Exclusive Hosted Buyer Programme

Senior corporate travel decision-makers can apply for the hosted buyer programme, which includes:

  • Complimentary travel and accommodation
  • Curated one-on-one meetings with key suppliers
  • VIP access to event sessions and networking lounges

Corporate travel managers and procurement professionals handling business travel programmes are encouraged to register early to secure their spot.

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Expert Panels & Cutting-Edge Industry Insights

Spanning two days, the event features 16 free-to-attend sessions covering:

  • Sustainability in corporate travel
  • Enhancing traveller experience
  • Innovative travel technology
  • Supplier sourcing strategies
  • Cost-cutting and resilience in travel programmes

Speakers from Avis Budget Group, MSD International, IKEA, Rheinmetall, Crisis24, HN Consulting, and Align Tech will share their expertise.

Business Travel Innovation Faceoff & APAC Travel Buyer of the Year Award

For the first time in APAC, the Business Travel Innovation Faceoff will showcase game-changing solutions set to redefine corporate travel. Additionally, the APAC Travel Buyer of the Year Award will honor a regional leader in corporate travel innovation.

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